Police say three cars have been stolen from New Canaan since Sunday, all unlocked with keys inside.
The first, a 2020 Lexus RX350, was reported stolen from out front of a Gower Road residence at about 8:29 a.m. on Aug. 16, according to a press release issued by New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski.
A 2020 Volvo Xc40 T5 was reported stolen at about 5:08 a.m. Monday from Canoe Hill Road, and a 2014 Audi A6 3.0 Q was reported stolen from a Main Street driveway at about 8:46 a.m. Monday, the chief said. The Audi has not yet been recovered.
“In addition to three cars being stolen, five larcenies from vehicles were reported on August 17, 2020,” he said in the press release. “All five vehicles entered were unlocked. Items stolen from these vehicles include loose change, a garage door opener, and a car key belonging to the vehicle entered.”
The vehicles entered had been parked on the road or in the driveway of Brushy Ridge Road (driveway), Gower Road (road), Laurel Road (driveway) and Sturbridge Hill Road (driveway), Krolikowski said. All the larcenies occurred early in the morning, he said.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal gangs are active throughout Fairfield County,” Krolikowski said. “In the past, some of the vehicles stolen in Fairfield County were used in violent crime. We urge our residents to be more cautious and practice good crime prevention strategies. This carelessness is putting our entire town at risk.”
He issued the following tips.
1. KEYS: When unattended NEVER leave the key to your home or key/key fob to your car inside a vehicle or in a place where a thief can find them. Do not leave the valet key, key fob or garage door opener inside of your vehicle.
2. LIGHT UP YOUR HOME: At night, keep the perimeter of your home & driveway well lit. Low energy lighting switched on and off by photoelectric sensors (low light switches) is a cost-effective way to discourage criminals.
3. LOCK-UP: ALWAYS lock all doors, garage doors and windows of your car and home whenever you leave, day or night, even for a short time. If you have a garage, put your car in it and lock/alarm both the car and the garage. All of the thefts from vehicles and vehicle thefts that occur in our Town involve unlocked vehicles.
4. SECURE VALUABLES: NEVER leave valuables in your vehicle. Often, identity theft occurs when drivers’ licenses and credit cards are stolen.
5. USE YOUR ALARM SYSTEM: ALWAYS activate your home and car alarm systems. Many successful crimes that occur in our Town involve houses or cars that have alarm systems that were not activated.
6. SECURITY-VIDEO CAMERAS: Consider installing a good quality security/video camera that covers the interior/exterior of your residence and the street near it. The price point of camera systems has dropped recently making this a wise investment.
Hate to say it, there are too many stupid people in town. Plain and simple. Leaving keys in unlocked cars sometimes with Valuables in full view? Really?
The New Canaan P. D. should send them a bill for them to write a report about these instances. People, use your brain, it’s common sense!